Martin Desjardins is a name you ought to know but probably don't—a sculptor who's remained unjustly tucked away in the dusty corners of art history, likely because his work doesn't fit today’s bleeding-heart narratives. Born in 1640 in what is now known as France, this master sculptor was a creative powerhouse during the reign of Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. Desjardins didn't just sculpt marble statues, he crafted narratives in stone that glorified the monarchy and embodied the triumph of order over chaos in a time when maintaining societal order was seen as a virtue, not a crime.
So why do we care about a sculptor from centuries ago? Because geniuses like Desjardins didn’t bend to the populist whims of their time, they shaped them. He arrived in Paris from the Netherlands—a kind of libertarian, if you will, in pursuit of a climate where his talents could bloom. In Paris, he found patrons who eagerly commissioned his work, elevating him to the status of a household name during his lifetime. His remarkable execution in creating equestrian statues, monumental tombs, and other intricate works made him a celebrated artist in both French and European art.
His illustrious career caught the attention of King Louis XIV, who wouldn't tender allegiance to just any artist. Ah, and how the liberal crowd loves to gloss over this detail; the Sun King’s favoritism wasn’t easily won. Yet Desjardins' work, such as his sculpture of Louis XIV triumphantly on horseback, was worthy of notoriety. This ‘Louis the Great’ project, easily one of his most eye-catching creations, became a central figure symbolizing French power. Any awe-inspiring sculpture worth its salt instills pride, elevates culture, and becomes a silent orator of a nation’s strength—and that’s precisely what Desjardins achieved.
It’s laughable how modern art critics with their infamous disdain for traditional conservative values overlook that Desjardins’ sculptures glorified the royal family and the centralized strength that epitomized the era. Unlike many contemporary artists losing relevance in a haze of meaningless abstractions, waving the banner of creative ‘freedom’ as they paint and sculpt obscure nonsense, Desjardins grounded himself in relatable, classical themes that were often unapologetically pro-monarchy and pro-establishment.
Remember his thunderous monument to the singular statesman, Louis XIV, at the Place des Victoires? Commissioned by the marquis de Louvois, the King’s Minister of War, this magnum opus, unveiled in 1686, showcased how seamlessly art and politics can, and should, intertwine. It became the ceremonial symbol of royal power that so many modern artists and critics erroneously trivialize.
In the politically charged atmosphere of the 17th century, not all artists could achieve such direct political influence and social commentary through their work. Desjardins did so with exquisite finesse, making him a historical lesson for artists who perpetually scream for relevance in our times.
Though his fame declined posthumously—thanks to the shifting winds of political taste and changing dynastic priorities—Martin Desjardins remains an artist who, in every sense of the word, mattered. His work offered more than just aesthetic value; it upheld the principles of order, structure, and the portrayal of established power—elements many of today’s artists seem to run away from.
While today's left-leaning art circles might easily disregard Desjardins' contributions, conservative minds recognize the importance of celebrating historical art figures who championed forthright values. His meticulous works—from bronze busts to marble tombs, and everything in between—exhibited an unwavering respect for craftsmanship and message, qualities that have all but vanished in today’s world of conceptual drivel.
Martin Desjardins is a reminder that art's true purpose is not merely to shock or perplex, but to uplift, teach, and guide. He sculpted in times when societal stability and respect for hierarchy were not dirty words but foundational values worth preserving. His legacy provides a robust counterpoint to some of today’s ephemeral and self-indulgent expressions, ensuring that his art, though not mainstream anymore, will forever be of consequence to those who know where to look for inspired greatness.